At its August 24 meeting, the Newton Historical Commission voted unanimously to designate two 19th century village buildings – the Strong Block in Waban Square and the Swedenborgian Church building in Newtonville – as historic landmarks. Waban and Newtonville are designated Village Center Overlay Districts, and Newton Landmark designation protects the two buildings from future demolition.
Mollie Hutchings, Newton’s Chief Preservation Planner, made the point that Newton does not have a history of landmarking commercial buildings, thereby requiring new guidelines for the preservation of Strong Block. Currently housing an array of stores, the building was designed by Lewis Bacon — designer of Waban’s Engine 6 fire station — and built in 1896. It is “one of Newton’s few remaining examples of a nineteenth century commercial building,” according to the description prepared by the Planning Department. Lewis Bacon, a prominent American architect, was a Waban resident and member of the Newton Board of Aldermen. (See Strong Block Landmark Report.)
Criteria for landmarking (in Newton’s Landmark Ordinance, Section 22-93) include:
- Architectural significance
- Association with a person who has made a significant contribution “to the cultural, historic, architectural or archeological aspect” of Newton’s development
- Identification with someone who has made a significant contribution to the city, state or country
- The site of some significant historic events.
In addition, the Historical Commission is charged with considering the condition of the property and its location.
The Historical Commission supported the Planning Department’s recommendations that any changes to replacement to the masonry, foundation, windows, roof, or ornamentation should come to the Commission for review. At the same time, all agreed that there should be no Commission oversight of signage, window dressing, or interior buildups.
Representing the Strong Block’s owner, Attorney Franklin Schwarzer wanted to keep the building “vibrant” and keep the requirements from being too onerous, which might discourage would-be renters. The Strong Block, he said, was “the most recognizable symbol of Waban.” Several people expressed surprise that the buildings had never been landmarked. Following the recommendation of the Planning and Development Board, the Commission decided that the current Waban Market at 10 Windsor Road, which was built in 1950s, was of lesser significance and did not merit the same level of review by the Historical Commission. At the same time, if that building is demolished, several area residents wanted to be sure that whatever is built on the property would not interfere with the “silhouette” of the Strong Block.
Rena Getz, Waban Area Council President and candidate for City Council, said “We are incredibly lucky that the building is still intact” when she spoke in support of the Strong Block being designated as a City of Newton Local Landmark. Ward 5 City Councilor Bill Humphrey thanked everyone “for working so diligently and collaboratively,” noting, “We’ve come to a very good proposed solution protecting history and supporting commercial vibrancy.” He noted that his Ward 5 colleagues, Councilors Deb Crossley and Andreae Downs, have been deeply committed to the project.
Having voted unanimously in favor of landmarking the Strong Block, the Commission turned to the Swedenborgian Church at 19 Highland Avenue in Newtonville. Attorney Terry Morris, a Newtonville resident, represented the church’s owners, the Massachusetts New Church Union. Built in Gothic Revival style in 1893, with three stained-glass windows designed by Charles Connick Studios added in 1916, the building is remarkable for both its architecture and the fact that there have been no structural changes to its exterior. (See Swedenborgian Church Landmark Report.)
Given the height of the interior, Mr. Morris focused on the Commission’s requirements for future interior rehabilitation. The Church building was most likely to be repurposed as a multi-family development, and potential buyers would want to know how much flexibility they would have in adapting the property. Mollie Hutchings said that the Commission would have a role in preservation, especially of the stone walls, but would allow more flexibility in determining the adjustments to the roof.
The Commission was asked to consider the Parish House, which Ms. Hutchings said was of lesser significance. Both Mark Careaga from the Massachusetts New Church Union and Attorney Morris thanked the Commission for its “generosity” in preserving the church building but allowing for some development. The Commission voted unanimously to landmark the Church building but designated a lower level of review by the Newton Historical Commission for the Parish House.